Love Stories: Katie + Jonathan

For Jonathan Bradberry, 31, true love was something for which he had waited patiently. For Katie Jones, 24, true love arrived when she least expected it. Now, as the pair makes plans to tie the knot next summer, one thing is for certain: whether awaited or unanticipated, these two were meant for each other. Here is their love story.

How did you two meet?

J: The two people that introduced us, a couple named John and Jackie, go way back to when I was eight years old. I was talking to John at church one morning, and he started telling me about this girl named Katie I needed to meet.

K: When we met, I thought he was really laid back and funny. He seemed like a nice guy, and everyone had good things to say about him.

What is your favorite thing about each other?

J: She can always lift me up with her encouraging words.

K: I like how much other people like him. He is a really good friend to people.

If you had to compare your partner to someone famous, who would it be?

K: Definitely a character off of Duck Dynasty. He likes to hunt, he’s country, and he’s hilarious.

J: Jennifer Aniston, because Katie is funny, full of life, and so good looking!

When did you realize you had met “the one”?

K: I wasn’t expecting to meet anyone at the time that I did. I knew there were certain qualities I would need in my significant other, and Jonathan possessed those qualities.

J: It didn’t take me long to know she was the one. After a short period of spending time together, we both looked at each other one night with smiles on our faces; we were both excited that we had finally found each other.

Tell us about the proposal.

K: We were on a vacation with my family over the summer at Orange Beach. My dad used to be a wedding photographer, so naturally, we are always taking family pictures. There was one night we picked to go out on the beach to take pictures.

J: Proposing was something I had waited a long time for, so I was really excited to plan something meaningful for Katie. I stained, cut, and hand-painted wooden signs, and I got Katie’s dad to help me collect some pictures of her to make a slideshow for the proposal.

K: As we approached the beach, I noticed there were all these painted signs. Jonathan told me to look at them, and I said, “How sweet, someone must be getting engaged.”

J: I said “It’s for you. Katie, this is for you.” It was quite a surprise, which is what I was going for. We walked down to the beach, watched the slideshow, and I got on my knee and asked the girl of my dreams to be mine forever.

What was your experience like shopping for the ring at Diamonds Direct?

J: I wanted to pick out the ring myself, and all of my friends kept insisting I go check out Diamonds Direct. The sales associate Rachel was so helpful in educating me on diamonds, taking the time to show me several options, and even allowing me time to think it over.

K: The ring is stunning; I get so many compliments on it all the time. In fact, we went back to buy both of our wedding bands there. That was fun for me to be able to pick out Jonathan’s ring.

Now that you’ve found “the one,” what advice would you give to someone else about love?

J: Be patient with love. Take the time to learn the other person’s needs and desires. Make an effort to love them in the ways they best like to receive love.

K: Don’t expect your relationship to be perfect. Love is not a feeling—it is something you have to choose every day.